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Spanish Speaker’s Case Study
Problem One:
Syllable initial /s/
Description:
In
the speaking sample, we noticed an obvious problem with the syllable
initial sound /s/. The speaker tend to pronounce the sound as /es/
instead of /s/. We think this would because of the L1 transfer in
Spanish.
Activity Design: The following dialogue contains the target syllable initial consonant /s/. The students will read the dialogue with target pronunciation, identify the problem themselves, practice with teacher’s and peers’ help, and then redo the dialogue.
1. Pre-task:The students should be informed about the practicing section and the minimal pairs:/es/ vs /s/
2. Students’ first production: If in a one-to-one tutoring session: the teacher and the tutee take turns to read the dialogue with target sounds. If in a pair-work group: the students take turns to read the dialogue and switch roles.
3. Recording and Analysis: All the production will be recorded for the first time when the students read the dialogue. The teacher and the students then listen to the recording and compare the production with the transcripts. The target minimal pairs and the problems in their production should be highlighted/ underlined by the teacher.
4. Listening Discrimination: Then the teacher demonstrates the correct pronunciation by playing the “correct” recording. Students should get a handout with the transcripts and identify (mark) the differences between the teacher’s demo and the students’ production. Students can work in pairs to identify the problems they have.
5. Students’ second production: After the practice session, the students are asked to perform the dialogue again as accurate as possible. Then the teacher will give further corrective feedback.
Appendix: Dialogue One
Sarah: Hi Steve. I heard you are going to Saudi Arabia on vacation this spring.
Steve: Yes Sarah I am. Both my sister and I will be flying there on April 1st.
Sarah: Wow, that sounds fun! I am sure that you will have a blast. Have you or your sister been there before?
Steve: It will definitely be an experience to say the least. I haven’t been before but my sassy stepsister Shakira has.
Sarah: Sassy you say? So getting her out of her shell wont be an issue!
Steve: Absolutely not! Shakira is very sophisticated but she definitely knows how to have fun.
Sarah: It sounds like you both will have a wonderful stay in Saudi Arabia. I hope you both have safe travels!
Steve: Thanks so much Sarah. We’ll bring you a drink of Sa7lab.
Handout: Please underline the problem you hear in your first trial and highlight the reoccurring ones in the second trial.
Sarah: Hi Steve. I heard you are going to Saudi Arabia on vacation this spring.
Steve: Yes Sarah I am. Both my sister and I will be flying there on April 1st.
Sarah: Wow, that sounds fun! I am sure that you will have a blast. Have you or your sister been there before?
Steve: It will definitely be an experience to say the least. I haven’t been before but my sassy stepsister Shakira has.
Sarah: Sassy you say? So getting her out of her shell wont be an issue!
Steve: Absolutely not! Shakira is very sophisticated but she definitely knows how to have fun.
Sarah: It sounds like you both will have a wonderful stay in Saudi Arabia. I hope you both have safe travels!
Steve: Thanks so much Sarah. We’ll bring you a drink of Sa7lab.
